Patenting an invention
is one of the most important steps if you want to save your innovative concept
from the infringers, product poachers and unscrupulous group of people that is;
patent trolls.

A patent helps save your invention and keep it protected for a certain period of time.

There are two possible ways to have your invention patented. For example, you can get it done either by hiring a professional patent attorney or by submitting your provisional patent application on your own.

So, what you need to do?

However, before you go
ahead, doing a preliminary patent search to ascertain the novelty, uniqueness
and non-obviousness of your invention idea is one of the most important phases
to take into consideration.

Through this article, you will learn about certain specific but most important guidelines that you must mind while doing patent search online.

Specific yet important guidelines

1. The USPTO and IBM contain free online databases that you can use to perform your patent search.

2. It is better to use phrases
or keywords that will best describe your invention using common terms, such as
its function, effect, end-product, structure, and use.

3. The results enlist
patents, as per your keywords. Here you can get the title of the invention and
its single-paragraph description.

4. If you don’t know
when you came up with this invention, or if it got patented before 1971, you
have no chance to conduct a complete search online.

5. In such case, you
need to visit one of the national Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs).
Reference librarians may do it for you by helping through the U.S. patent
search.

6. US Patent Classification
(paper, CD-ROM) starts with this alphabetical subject index to the Manual of
Classification. Search for your keywords. Don’t forget noting down class and
subclass numbers.

7. Search for those
numbers in the Manual of Classification. Start writing from where the terms
come under the US Patent Classification System. Scan the complete class schedule;
take note of the dot indent. Review search strategy as necessary.

8. Classification
Definitions (microfiche, CD-ROM, USPTO web) – Read the definitions to establish
the scope of class(es) and subclass(es) relevant to the search. The definitions
include key search suggestions and notes for extra search.

10. Patents CLASS
(CD-ROM or WEST) – Once related class(es)/subclass(es) are recognized, get the
listing of all patent numbers (1790-present) provided for every class and
subclass to be searched for.

11. Official Gazette –
Patent Section (microform or paper), go to the Gazette, look for archetypal
claim(s) and an illustrative drawing for all patents on the list(s) to take
away patents that are irrelevant to the invention.

12. Complete Patent
Document (microfilm, paper, CD-ROM, WEST, or USPTO web; years of coverage vary),
Search for the complete drawing(s) or text of closely connected patents to determine
their variance with the invention.

13. Keep your searches
and match them to the professional search.

14. Professional search
results may either contain a formal written opinion, or just be copies of the
prior art in the search.

15. That is why; it is
better if you ask about the way of conducting searches, and what databases are
to be used.

15. If you prioritize quality, hire the services of a professional patent attorney or a patent agent or an independent research company.